Early Days
English by birth, Higgs was raised on a farm near the small town of Bideford in North Devon, England. Higgs started playing the piano at the age of 8 and studied the instrument classically under Miss Bungard, a Royal College of Music Gold Medallist. At the age of 14 he became a rock drummer, playing mainly original material in local bands - the most notable being Helter Skelter, a band managed by Will Palin, ex sound engineer to David Bowie and tour manager to Chris de Burgh.
When Higgs moved to London he rediscovered his piano roots and a love of jazz. He studied jazz piano under a number of pro jazz pianists including Peter Sander and Malcolm Cliff. After several years of playing the piano in and around London, Higgs moved back to his native Devon to concentrate on writing and developing his own style.
Whilst in Devon, Higgs produced an album demo and following session work at Sentinel Studios was immediately offered a contract to sign for Elysium Records, which was owned and run by producer Brian Smith (Bruce Forsyth). Higgs then recorded his first album entitled Leaving at Sentinel Studios in Cornwall - a project that despite remaining a rough-mix was endorsed and guided by legendary producer Gus Dudgeon (Elton John, David Bowie et al).
Higgs Boson album
Some 4 years later Higgs put together a group of exceptional musicians for his self-titled critically acclaimed album. This was the first project totally controlled by Higgs from composition through to final production - helped by Gareth Young, an internationally acclaimed pop producer (Sugababes, Ronan Keating), and Jo Partridge, guitarist on Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds, the 'Higgs Boson' album comprises nine original compositions that are strikingly fresh and inventive, showcasing Higgs' diverse jazz, rock and classical influences.
The album was applauded by Alphonse Mouzon (Weather Report) and Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) and received excellent reviews from the British music press. The album was featured on BBC Radio 2 Best of Jazz on Record show whereby host Humphrey Lyttleton praised the album and paid tribute to the musicianship. Jazz Journal, Keyboard Review, Rhythm Magazine, Guitar Techniques and The Mix are among publications giving Higgs' music great reviews, praising both the composition and execution of his music.
The music from the Higgs Boson album has been widely used by various national and international broadcasters including GMTV, ITV, BBC, BBC network radio etc. On the internet when Myspace reigned supreme Higgs Boson was the world-wide number 1 jazz fusion act for 3 years running.
Scientists at the School of Physics & Astronomy at The Edinburgh University have endorsed Higgs' music by presenting his CD to Professor Peter Higgs. Also, sent to Professor Stephen Hawking, who held the Lucasian Chair of Mathematics at Cambridge University - a note from Higgs to Hawking was included with the CD which said 'I hear reports of my nonexistence have been somewhat exaggerated' - reported in the The Scotsman.
Life & Work
Higgs still lives in North Devon with his family and is currently concentrating on writing a book about the extraordinary life of his grandfather. Although Higgs is a novice author, the true story told in his first book is one that has fascinated him since he was a child, and intrigued everyone he's ever told about it. Higgs' maternal grandfather A S Johnstone's life began at the very start of the 20th century. His experience during the First World War, as a lauded "Boy Bugler", and subsequently an early expert in Air Mechanics are full of interest, but even more dramatic events were to follow. A transgression on his part forced him to live the rest of his life under an assumed name - dodging the authorities whilst simultaneously working as a top government scientist. The ramifications for Higgs' wider family of this govt induced duplicity resonate to this day.
